Braxton Dupree signs with Maccabi Ashdod... Sort Of

Despite sitting out the entire 2009-2010 season because of NCAA rules regarding transfer players, Dupree averaged solid numbers last year with the Tigers, posting 12 points and nearly eight rebounds per game in an average of 31 minutes per contest.

Dupree went undrafted in June's NBA draft, but still has aspirations of perhaps playing in the NBA's summer or developmental league after his time overseas, in hopes of getting a shot at the NBA one day, according to ESPN.

For the first year of his contract, Dupree will be assigned by the team to play for Ness Ziona in the Israeli National League. (The National League is the country's second tier pro division; Maccabi Ashdod plays in the top pro league, the Loto League or Premier League). From the team's press release (translation):

Dupree, a Towson University graduate, signed a contract with Maccabi Ashdod, in which he was lent for the upcoming season to Ness Ziona of the Israeli National League, after which Maccabi Ashdod will have options to extend his contract for two more years until the end of the 2013/14 season. [...]

Team administrator of Maccabi Ashdod, Shai Housman, said, "While we wish to complete a foreign signing next season, Maccabi Ashdod is setting goals for itself several years ahead. As an integral part of this policy, we regularly follow other players that might fit us in the future. With our budget, we cannot compete with the Loto League's top teams, so it requires taking action in a comprehensive and deliberate way, in order to improve our chances of getting quality players for an amount of money which we can afford."

"Dupree is a young interior player and has potential. After he strengthens his abilities in the coming season, we certainly will be happy to bring him into the group in the future."